Norfolk Island Government

Norfolk Island is administered by a local council with government services to the island provided by the Australian state of New South Wales. Norfolk Island was previously a self-governing external Australian territory, but due to financial struggles and never gaining self-sufficiency, the government of Australia revoked the island's right to self-governance in 2015. In 2016, Norfolk Island legislation was transferred to New South Wales, and the nation is subject to this state's official rulings.

Australian national elections take place every three years, and the most recent took place in July of 2016. Elections for state and regional representation take place every four years, and in many states, these dates are fixed by legislation. The country has had a long history of fairly contested and transparent elections and is considered one of the model democratic countries in the world.

While under self-governance, Norfolk Island had a legislative body, known as the Norfolk Legislative Assembly, from 1979-2015. The first members of this legislative body were elected during national elections on 10 August 1979. The last assembly of the Norfolk Legislative Assembly took place on 13 March 2013 and was subsequently abolished by the Australian government in June of 2015. The transition to a Norfolk Island Regional Council began shortly after and this council was established on 1 July 2016. This headquarters of this council is located in the capital city of Kingston.

There is only one political party currently active in Norfolk Island: the Norfolk Island Labor Party.

Parliamentary democracy (formerly the Legislative Assembly); overseas territory of Australia; note - in May 2015, the Australian Parliament passed the Norfolk Island Legislation Amendment Bill 2015 which abolished Norfolk Island self-government and replaced it with an interim Advisory Council effective 1 July 2015

Independance

None (territory of Australia)

Area

36.00 km2

Land Area

36.00 km2

Population

2,210.00

Location

Oceania, island in the South Pacific Ocean, east of Australia

Export Commodities

Its main exports are postage stamps, seeds of the Norfolk Island pine and Kentia palm, and avocadoes.